We're extremely happy to welcome Raphan into the Yoga West team. A teacher with a plethora of experience and interests, he has developed the unique Space and Flow practice. Is it yoga? Is it dance? Is it movement? It's a class which challenges our engrained ideas of structure and form, brought together by Raphan's contagious creativity.
Monday 8 - 9pm
Thursday 9:30 - 10:45am

Here's the story (plus some philosophical nuggets) from the man himself...

How did you get into yoga?

Through injuries and a Pilates practice. I had back and wrist pain and the chiropractor I was seeing put me on to Pilates which eventually led me to find a Yoga class. The rest is history! Well... this was in 2004/5 so only a little while ago really.

Was there a moment when you realised that you wanted to pursue yoga seriously?

Pretty much from the get-go as at the time it felt like the next best thing after being a musician.

How has yoga changed you?

It's given me an outlet for my creativity, a job and a way to provide for my family, a purpose in that I help people sense and with that hopefully care after themselves a little bit better, and a way into a world that is both fascinating and scary: 'I' in relation to me and to others.

What's your advice to people considering starting yoga?

Like any other disciplines it comes with learning curves, the first one being on "how to" actually learn... so be easy on yourself. If you're not fucking it up you're not doing it right! It's cool to care how well you're doing, it means you care... but it's mighty important to understand that Yoga is a process orientated type of practice (as opposed to goal orientated) and that implies, demands, and requires that you make mistakes. So start... and then start again... before you know it you'll be experiencing things that will make you smile and ponder on the wonders and paradoxes of it all.

What is your approach to teaching?

Artistic and researched, I'd like to think... Better to ask my students, I reckon!

Is there anything outside your yoga that would be interesting to share?

My favourite tea is Liquorice & Peppermint, I enjoy small talks about big things, and I'm on the market for a Triumph Bonneville (in case you know a guy who knows a guy!).